Rehoming. Disruption. Dissolution. These terms have been tossed around flippantly, often used interchangeably, in the news lately. However, they each encompass very different meanings and have different implications in the world of adoption. This month, Arkansas State Representative Justin Harris and his wife Marsha continually made headlines for rehoming their two adopted daughters to a friend they knew for years. This ‘friend’ eventually raped one of the girls (Arkansas State Representative, 2015).
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At first blush, the impact of a celebrity’s death on the individual would seem rather far removed. Upon closer examination, however, classic stages of grief may be recognized. Although duration and severity may be noted to be shorter and more limited, it can reasonably be expected that the degree to which grief is experienced can directly correspond to the degree to which the individual relates to the given celebrity and his or her characters.
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Being able to squarely face and accept the reality of a situation is the first step toward understanding, clarity, and even change. Accepting and tolerating realities that you cannot, or chose not to, change is the real path to freedom and peace.
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December 2, 2014
by Marti Wormuth, MA
As the holidays grow ever closer, some people have a lot on their mind, and it's sad to see them try and work through their feelings during this time of year. This is especially true if someone has been trying to work their way through the loss of a loved one. Losing a loved one, whether it was days before or years before a holiday, gives the holidays a bittersweet feeling, and it can be really hard for people to work through those emotions in a healthy manner. Why are the holidays so hard after a loss?
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November 13, 2014
by Marti Wormuth, MA
One of the most difficult things to deal with in life is losing someone that you love. But when they take their own life in some way, the suffering becomes that much worse for those left behind. Questions go through your mind and you aren't totally sure how to deal with it. And that's okay - it's hard to be the people that are left behind from such a painful experience. International Survivors of Suicide Day is November 15th, and this day is to help people realize that they are not alone in this journey, and that they do not need to feel afraid.
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What gets you out of bed every morning (besides your alarm clock or your children)? What motivates you and keeps you going every day? What do you feel truly passionate about? Everyone is unique, and we will each answer these questions in different ways. Maybe your love for your family is what gives your life the most meaning.There are no right or wrong answers, and no one can give us the answers. Nonetheless, they are important questions for each of us to ask ourselves.
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October 22, 2014
by Saranya Tracey, M.A.
Core spiritual therapy entails learning to go within and communicate with the inner child. There are several parts to the inner child which are largely submerged in the unconscious. As adults we have gotten out of touch with the feelings and memories attendant with this special child part which carries the potential for healing and deep spirituality.
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“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing… Perhaps more strictly, like suspense. Or like waiting: just hanging about waiting for something to happen. It gives life a permanently provisional feeling.” C.S. Lewis
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August 19, 2014
by Caleen Martin
When you are sat down by a doctor and explained that you have an incurable medical condition that could become completely debilitating to you, cause you daily pain, and change every aspect of your life, you die. Your physical life has died, your career has died, your ability to care for your family has died, your ability to enjoy the intimacy between yourself and your partner has died. But your lungs still breath air, your heart still pumps, and you must create a completely new life in spite of your medical conditions.
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July 16, 2014
by Christie Hunter
It is completely normal to envy your friend, relative, or coworker when she has something that you cannot have (at the moment!). Do not feel guilty of your negative feelings; you perhaps need some reassurance that ‘everything will be fine.’ It is frustrating when you are happy for a friend, yet sad for your own loss. This mental state makes it even more difficult to overcome and push away such feelings, as it is complicated to satisfy motherly and fatherly instincts.
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